The efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes is well established, but their role in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is less clear. A 36-year-old woman with a 27-year history of T1DM and undetectable c-peptide presented for review of weight management, with body mass index 29.3 kg/m. A previous trial of dapagliflozin led to no improvement in weight or glycemic control. Semaglutide was introduced (0.25 mg weekly increased to 0.5 mg weekly) and was well tolerated. After 6 months, weight had decreased by 16 kg and insulin dose by 36%. Despite less insulin, hemoglobin A1c improved, with reduced glycemic variability and no increase in hypoglycemia. Semaglutide may exert significant metabolic benefits in patients with established T1DM, even where c-peptide is no longer detectable. This case supports the need for a dedicated trial examining potential benefits of semaglutide in T1DM.
Authors
Raven, Lisa M; Greenfield, Jerry R; Muir, Christopher A